Alumni in Action: Working in the School

Our alumni know first-hand the value of a Priory education, and many have chosen to make education their career. Some have returned to the heart of the Abbey Family to continue our proud tradition of providing a Benedictine, Catholic, college preparatory education of the highest excellence so as to help talented and motivated young men develop their full potential as children of God. We are pleased to have 12 alumni (half of whom are monks) teaching and coaching at Priory this year.

Father Gregory Mohrman, O.S.B. ’76

Headmaster, Theology

Father Gregory was the first Priory alumnus to return to the monastery as a novice. He professed his Solemn Vows on September 4, 1980, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 21, 1986. He has taught English and Theology since 1986, and served as Headmaster from 1995 to 2005, before being reappointed in 2014. In addition to his Headmaster responsibilities, he’s currently teaching a class on Dante’s "Inferno," which he refers to as his “Hell Class.”

F. Gabriel Santa Cruz ’92

Director of Technology, Computer Science

Gabe returned to Priory in 2014 as the Director of Technology, and has been busy improving IT ever since. He has overseen the complete overhaul of our laptop distribution, moving the school to a balanced schedule with regular replacement of faculty machines; the updating of the computer lab in the High School Library and the Alwan Lab in the Junior School; an improvement to our server security; streamlining of printers and copiers to reap the cost benefits of standardized ink and toner cartridges; the purchase, installation, and management of large flat-screen televisions in the High School to convey timely information for athletics, college counseling, admissions, and student events; and more. He’s also now co-teaching a computer science class with Ryan Niemann, and is moderating the Business and Entrepreneurship Club that has garnered outstanding results from student accomplishments from inception last year.

Father Cassian Koenemann, O.S.B. ’97

Theology, Form VI Chaplain

Eight years after he graduated from Priory, and with two undergraduate degrees from Vanderbilt, Father Cassian returned to the community as a novitiate. Since then, he completed his theological studies in Rome (where he was when Pope Francis was elected), been ordained as a priest, and has been teaching Theology. He has jumped into multiple aspects of the school, serving as a form chaplain and offering his culinary and hosting skills for a dinner package at the annual Xanadu Auction. He can frequently be found at parent events, or, between classes, hanging out with students in the new common areas throughout the high school.

Justin H. Orlando ’99

Science (Chair)

Justin joined the Priory Science team in 2012, and was promoted to Science Department Chair at the start of the 2015-16 academic year. He has worked tirelessly to update our laboratories, and is constantly looking to incorporate cutting-edge STEM programming into the science curriculum, partnering with Dr. Rebecca Kalhorn and Dr. Andrew Davis in the Mathematics Department.

Father Maximilian Toczylowski, O.S.B. ’00

Theology, Social Studies, Athletics

Father Maximilian has had a busy summer and fall. He finished his studies at Blackfriars Studium in Oxford and returned home to be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, September 24. He’s teaching two sections of 7th grade theology, sophomore theology, 7th grade geography, and, in the spring, a section of 8th grade government. He’s also returning to coaching Ultimate in the spring. Click here to read a recent bio on Father Maximilian.

Father John McCusker, O.S.B. ’01

Assistant Director of Admissions, Theology, Form V Chaplain

When Father John completed his religious studies in Washington, D.C., he returned home to the Abbey and was promptly ordained to the priesthood and put to work. In addition to teaching Theology, he was made Assistant Director of Admissions during a time of intense transition. Father John’s collaborative spirit was invaluable during the 2015 admissions season, when the School was without an Admissions Director. In addition to his admissions and teaching responsibilities, he has now also been tapped to co-chair the steering committee for accreditation.

Father Cuthbert Elliott, O.S.B. ’02

Classical Languages, Theology, Form I Chaplain

Father Cuthbert rejoined the Priory faculty during the 2015-16 academic year, teaching freshman Church History, freshman Latin, and sophomore Greek and Roman History. He brings a rich collegiate history from his time at Oxford to his students, and a love of the National Parks (he’s visited nearly 20 so far). He recently marked his first year as a priest, having been ordained with Fathers Aidan and John in September 2015.

Michael J. Nickolai ’03

Director of the High School, English

Mike has enjoyed a variety of roles at Priory after returning to the school in 2010 to teach English. He most recently shifted his Student Council Moderator and Tutoria Moderator roles to other teachers when he was promoted from the Director of Student Life to the Director of the High School. He works closely with Father Gregory and Assistant Headmaster Dr. Jared Rashford to manage the High School, much as Diana Hartnett runs the Junior School.

Ryan A. Niemann ’03

Computer Science (Chair), Fine Arts/Medieval Arts, Guild Moderator

In addition to his packed schedule at Priory, Ryan finds time to dream up, launch, run, and sometimes sell a variety of start-up software businesses. We’ve put his programming skills to use, and Ryan is now responsible for course and classroom schedules, no small feat at Priory. Even with a full-time teaching job and his personal companies, Ryan still spends a lot of time in the Medieval Arts room as the Guild moderator. Under his guidance, Guild members have worked on projects that range from multi-year windows to small ornaments donated for the Mothers’ Club Christmas Boutique. Several students have tapped his wealth of knowledge on starting companies and setting up websites, fostering a robust spirit of entrepreneurship on campus.

Steven T. Oslica ’05

Communications, Athletics

Steve has been a part of the Priory Communications team since the fall of 2013. He is responsible for the School’s website and social media channels, and designs/co-edits the bi-weekly Rebel News that provides in-depth feature articles and valuable information to the Priory family. He also helps promote the many events and activities of the Mothers’ Club, Fathers’ Club, Alumni Mothers’ Club, and Alumni Board. In the fall, he coaches B-Team Football, and assists with Track and Field in the spring.

Brother Joseph Igoe, O.S.B. ’09

English, Form II Chaplain

Brother Joseph’s run at student teaching last year was so successful, he was given an English class this year even while he continues his own studies. He has a strong Priory tie: he’s the son of an alumnus and three of his brothers also attended Priory. He enjoys running, and he helps Ann Schaefer with the Priory Speech Club.

Andrew J. Erker ’11

Computer Science

Andrew was looking for a change when he visited his alma mater to have lunch with a monk friend. As he visited in the Dining Hall, then-assistant principal Bernie Kilcullen approached him with an offer: come teach Computer Science at Priory. Andrew jumped at the chance, and is now teaching Introduction to Computer Programming to Form I, and Computer Programming to Form II. Given how involved he was with Tutoria as a student (he went to Chile twice), he was thrilled to step into the role of Tutoria moderator.